Newbie-DDP confusion

[tiffanym5375]

I'm a little bit worry I will feel very limited to where or what I can order. Anyone else feels this way. I have seen the brochure.. but being new to Disney, I'm still not sure. I know I have lots of choices, but is it enough?

What about for my toddler.. could I buy the DDP for him? He is only 2. Would he be very limited to his menu?
~tiffany

 

[Princess Amy]

Children under 3 cannot purchase the dining plan. It's for ages 3-9.

I think having the dining plan and making ADR's is worth it because I think dining at Disney is part of the whole experience. Look up the menus and photos and you will get a feel for each restaurant and what you think you would like.

 

[princssdisnygina]

There is no limit to what you can order any more! Now...some of the restaurants (signature) require two TS use but other than that there is very little limit with the DDP! I am looking forward to using it this time!

Gina

 

[TheHewitts]

tiffanym5375 I am with you. I feel like I will be limited too but really do not know because I cannot find enough information to quell my doubts.
What restaurants are considered signature? Can I go to the crab shack and eat a $35 plate of crab legs or do I have to opt for the $15 steak?

 

[Figment*Fan]

Trust me, you will NOT be limited

You mentioned you have the brochure, right? Now that you have the brochure, visit www.allearsnet.com and click on dining. There you will find the menus to the restaurants, so you can see what they offer so you can see if you would like to eat there

As for toddlers, I am not sure (since I don't have one) but I have read on ohter posts where people have said that their toddlers have eaten for free. I cannot verify that, but I do recall reading it here on the Dis and on other WDW fan message boards. Actually, that info may be on AllEars as well.

I think that once you take a look at the menus, you will no longer feel limited. There is a lot of variety. We really enjoy the dining plan, it saves us a lot of money, and allows us to eat at places we normally couldn't afford to eat at every day. Another thing -- when you check out the menus on AllEars, check out the prices too -- you will see how good of a deal the dining plan is!

ALso, for snacks, they really opened up options with using snack credits -- when we first went using the dining plan it was only a soda, ice cream, popcorn and such. NOW however, we have used it on funnel cakes, *boxes* of cookies, caramel apples, and a lot of other really good treats

I think once you get a better feel for the plan, you will see how many options there are. I can relate to how you feel -- the first time we used it, I was totally confused. Now that I am familiar with it -- I LOVE IT

 

[TheHewitts]

I get the feeling we will be bringing alot of snacks with us. I guess driving and bringing the kids snacks to eat is easier than flying with a whole separate suitcase with just food. They do not limit you on this do they? Maybe we can put a grill in the trunk...LOL! Just kidding. I guess we use this first DDP trip as a learning experience.

 

[Figment*Fan]

I get the feeling we will be bringing alot of snacks with us. I guess driving and bringing the kids snacks to eat is easier than flying with a whole separate suitcase with just food. They do not limit you on this do they? Maybe we can put a grill in the trunk...LOL! Just kidding. I guess we use this first DDP trip as a learning experience.

I don't understand. Why do you think you will need to bring your own food? You will get a lot on the plan, and the snack credits can be used for a wide array of items.



A lot of people end up loosening their belts when they're on the Disney Dining Plan, because you get A LOT to eat, so I really don't understand why you think you need to bring a grill (I know the grill was a joke, but it really seems as though you think you and the kids will starve -- really, you won't )

 

[TheDisneyClan]

No reason to fear DDP. You will not be limited to a selected menu at any participating restaurant. Look at the list of restaurants, go check out their menus and then for even more fun go check out the food pictures thread here on the DIS to see the joy that waits for you!

Because you're not familiar with the restaurants, read about what other DIS'ers love and hate. I think this is a great help!

Also, not sure when your trip is, but make ADRs (reservations) immediately!
You can do this 180 days in advance of your trip.

I know you will love the DDP, just do your homework now so that you can enjoy it later! Happy planning!!!

 

[tiffanym5375]

TheHewitts- I think we will do it.. just nervous too

Thanks for all the support! I will look over the link for the restaurant and start planning! I'm so excited! This may sound crazy but the part I love most on vacation is food!! I'm a tiny girl but I love my food!!!

~tiffany

 

[krystalleigh1]

Really-it's a LOT of food. You won't go hungry. We were there in Nov. 06 with my ds 2 yrs. He just ate off of my or my dh's plate-we still had pleanty. And at buffetts he was able to eat from the buffett like everyone else.

Really, when you think about it-at TS alone you get 1 appetizer, 1 entree, 1 dessert, and one drink per person. That's a lot of food. There will be pleanty to share with your child. Not only that, but you'll still have a CS and a snack to use daily. We were so full from our TS anc CS meals we didn't end up using our snack credits until the last day. We bought some snacks to take home.

There are very few exclusions on the menus too. The only thing we really noticed was that some restaurants would let you get a smoothie as a drink, and others we just had to get a fountain drink. Other than that there weren't any exclusions to the menus.

 

[wishesUT]

Toddlers can have their own plate for free at buffets, so it's great if you can schedule some character dining experiences at the Crystal Palace, Chef Mickey's, etc. Otherwise you'll have to pay OOP for your toddler. I have a 4 year old who's not a big eater, so I'm thinking that he and my toddler can share and then my toddler can also have some of whatever I order. I think the DDP sounds like so much fun!

 

[TheHewitts]

tiffanym5375 you and I sound alike. The food is my "main attraction" if you will. I think we will be fine I just want this trip to be fun for the kids and want to worry about NOTHING while I am there. 22 days and counting! WOOHOO!

 

[Disney"5"]

Do you mean 22 days until you leave, or 22 days until you can make your ADR's? IF you are heading to Disney in 22 days, be sure you call NOW to make ressie's, so that you don't have to worry about it when you get there. If it is 22 days until you can make your ADR's, good luck and have fun!

 

[TheHewitts]

It is 22 days until we leave and my wife has spent ALL day making reservations. We will be spending 5 nights in CSR and we plan on taking it easy the first night. I appreciate the info and will give a full rundown when we return.

 

[bicker]

I'm a little bit worry I will feel very limited to where or what I can order. Anyone else feels this way. I have seen the brochure.. but being new to Disney, I'm still not sure. I know I have lots of choices, but is it enough?

Generally, the feeling is that it is TOO MUCH food.

The brochure you have lists the participating locations. We maintain a list of exclusions and limitation that apply in the Dining Plan FAQ for this forum, found here: http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=16079998

 

[IcePrincess467]

I am not sure if anyone posted this already but this linkhttp://www.allears.net/pl/packages07a.htm from allears.net has a wonderful breakdown of the resturants that offer CS, TS, Specials, what ones are 2 TS credits etc, etc...

Hope this helps!